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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan vs Hevy

Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan 4.9★ · Free + IAP 60
Winner Hevy
Hevy 4.9★ · Free to download 95

Hevy is the better choice for most users due to its robust free features, comprehensive exercise library, and consistent positive user experience, while Stronglifts 5x5 faces significant backlash over its pricing model and removal of previously purchased features.

Full reviews: Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan · Hevy

Hevy consistently receives high praise for its user-friendly interface, extensive exercise library with instructional videos, and effective workout tracking, even in its free version. Stronglifts 5x5, while effective for its core program, is currently plagued by user complaints regarding its subscription model, removal of previously paid features, and data access issues.

Head to head

Features & Program Variety edge: HevyR5R8R14R21
Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan Stronglifts 5x5 is highly regarded for its simple, effective preset programs, particularly the 5x5 method, which helps users get stronger and achieve results R5R8R14. Users appreciate the app's ability to auto-adjust weights and offer customization for faster or slower progression . However, some users find its exercise library limited and note the absence of form guides R21. There are also complaints about the inability to adjust break times or create supersets in the free version .
Hevy Hevy offers a vast database of exercises, many with instructional video clips, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced lifters R76. Users can easily design their own workouts, track progress, and see stats R68. It also includes features like a workout timer, PR tracking, and 1RM calculation .
Ease of Use & Interface edge: HevyR3R8R17R18
Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan Stronglifts 5x5 is praised for its simplicity, intuitive interface, and ease of use, helping users focus on lifting without much thinking R8R17. However, recent updates have made the app less user-friendly for some, and there are reports of crashing R3R18.
Hevy Hevy is consistently described as simple, easy to use, and intuitive, with a clean UI R66. Users appreciate how quickly they can log workouts and navigate the app .
Reliability & Data Access edge: HevyR1R3R4R6
Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan Stronglifts 5x5 has significant reliability issues, with users reporting being locked out of their accounts, losing access to data, and experiencing app crashes R1R3R6R18. Many long-term users complain that their previously purchased features or 'lifetime' access were revoked, making the app unusable without a new subscription R4R7.
Hevy Hevy is generally considered reliable, with users reporting consistent performance and effective tracking R76. There is one report of Apple Watch disconnecting .
Price & Value edge: HevyR4R7R9R10
Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan Stronglifts 5x5 is criticized for its high subscription cost, with users calling it too expensive R9. Many long-term users feel that the app's value has declined, especially after features they previously paid for were moved behind a subscription paywall R4R7. Some also report deceptive practices regarding free trials and immediate charges R10.
Hevy Hevy is highly praised for its value, with many users finding the free version to be excellent and sufficient for their needs R66R75R79. The paid version, including a lifetime membership, is also considered well worth the money for its added features like creating multiple routines and Apple Watch integration .
Support & Updates edge: HevyR2R3R6R7
Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan Stronglifts 5x5 receives mixed reviews for support. Some users praise the support team for quickly resolving issues and providing helpful FAQs R2. However, many users report negative experiences with support, particularly concerning the refusal to honor previous lifetime purchases or address issues with features being paywalled R6R7. There are also complaints about updates making the app less user-friendly or deleting workouts R3.
Hevy Hevy's developers are noted for constantly working to improve the experience, and the app receives positive comments about its updates .
Pick Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan if

you are specifically looking for a simple, structured 5x5 program and are willing to pay for a subscription, especially if you value strong customer support for technical issues R2R5.

Pick Hevy if

you want a versatile, user-friendly workout tracker with a comprehensive exercise library, instructional videos, and robust free features R66R76. It's also ideal if you appreciate social features and consistent updates R68R87R91R107.

Evidence note: The lifetime ratings for both apps are high, but recent reviews for Stronglifts 5x5 are heavily skewed negative due to significant changes in its pricing model and the revocation of previously purchased 'lifetime' access, which impacts its perceived value and reliability. Hevy's reviews are overwhelmingly positive across the board, with very few complaints.

Frequently asked

Does Stronglifts 5x5 offer a free version?
Stronglifts 5x5 used to offer a free version and one-time purchases, but many users report that the app is now subscription-only, with previous purchases no longer honored and basic functions locked behind a paywall R1R4R7R13.
What features are available in Hevy's free version?
Hevy's free version allows users to track workouts, access a large database of exercises with instructional clips, see progress over time, and save up to 4 custom workouts R66R75R76R79.
Can I connect with friends on these apps?
Hevy offers a social aspect where you can connect with friends, see their workouts, and interact with them, which many users find motivating R68R87R91R107. Stronglifts 5x5 reviews do not mention social connection features.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R5] Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan 5/5 · US Great app!: This app has everything you need to follow a simple preset program or build your own. Great price, no frills and meets my needs perfectly!
  2. [R8] Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan 5/5 · US Intuitive and great: I’ve been using StrongLifts for years. It’s simple, and helps me get it done. Great app!
  3. [R14] Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan 5/5 · US Gets Results: I have used StrongLifts on and off for about 10 years, and I find it very helpful in getting results lifting weights.
  4. [R21] Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan 3/5 · GB OK but could be much better: I like that I can design my own workouts but it’s library of weight exercises is really limited and there are no guides as to correct form. As it’s paid for app, I expect more.
  5. [R3] Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan 3/5 · US Update meh: Dislike this last update and the changes made it less user friendly. And deleted all my work outs.. after 599 workouts logged time to find something else…
  6. [R17] Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan 5/5 · US Love this app: Once you get used to it, you’ll love it
  7. [R18] Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan 3/5 · GB Still crashing: Clean updated download on 17/10/24 but it still crashes
  8. [R1] Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan 1/5 · US Paygated trash: Locked me out and stole my data.
  9. [R4] Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan 1/5 · US Buggy and they keep putting features behind paywalls: I paid for this app years ago before it was a subscription. It’s gotten much worse and they keep adding features I paid for behind a paywall.
  10. [R6] Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan 3/5 · US Mostly great: I overall love this app and this program. Every once in a while however I get signed out of my account and I'm unable to sign back in and restore my purchase without contacting support. A huge anxiety, and waste of my time to have to contact support and do a back and forth just to have access to a purchase I made years ago. As for the program and information it's a tremendous resourc
  11. [R7] Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan 1/5 · US This was a great app, but: Update. After 10 years of use, StrongLifts has taken away the power pack I purchased 10 years ago and is trying to force me to use a $60 yearly subscription to access those features. I reached out to them and they refuse to honor my purchase. I’m very disappointed and will probably look for another way to record my workouts.
  12. [R9] Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan 3/5 · GB Good but expensive: This program is good and has helped me get stronger, and the new Liquid Glass update looks great. However, the Pro subscription is too expensive, and the frequent pop-ups are very frustrating.
  13. [R10] Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan 1/5 · US Free Trial Bait and Switch: I tried to start the 1-week free trial but switched the subscription to monthly, then cancelled within a week because I realized my gym doesn’t have reliable barbell access. Got charged at the end of what I thought was a free week, then realized the 1-week trial is only for the yearly subscription. That’s intentional and predatory. Give me a refund.
  14. [R2] Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan 5/5 · US Best lifting app!!: I love this workout! Support is the best. They take care of things right away and they have a ton of FAQs to help with lifting and support for the app. I would never consider using anything else! Whatever they ask for the Pro Subscription, pay it! You won’t be sorry.
  15. [R13] Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan 1/5 · US Not free: I used this app all the time and took a break due to injury. Came back to it to find out now I have to pay for it
  16. [R66] Hevy 5/5 · US Great tracker: I have the free version and it’s very simple and easy to use. Now you can only create 4 exercises with the free version but that’s all I need. I love the calendar aspect. It helps me get in the gym on my off days. It doesn’t do reminders but idk it just has helped me without a personal trainer anymore.
  17. [R75] Hevy 5/5 · US Great app!: Great app! Can’t believe the features you get even in the free version
  18. [R76] Hevy 5/5 · US Great app: I haven’t tried any other workout apps, so I don’t know how this one compares to the others that are out there. But I love it! I needed a way to keep track of my workouts. This does that and more. There’s a large database of exercises within the app that are free, which is helpful when you want to change up your routine. It keeps track of the weight you lift with each exercise so t
  19. [R79] Hevy 5/5 · US Love it: Simple free app and helps me track the weight I’m lifting and how many sets and reps, great app to help you improve!
  20. [R68] Hevy 5/5 · US Best workout app: I have been using hevy for about a year now and it really is the best workout and gym app out there. I love how you can connect with your friends and see their workouts, and how many different exercises you can choose from, as well as all the other features that track your stats. But especially I like it because of how focused it is on the core functions of simply tracking your w
  21. [R87] Hevy 5/5 · US Best app yet: I’ve used a half dozen different apps over the years and hevy checks every box. Discrete metrics I can track over time. A social aspect to keep up with my friends and inspirational accounts to keep me motivated, and encouragement for making progress and keeping consistent. I wished my trainer used it!
  22. [R91] Hevy 5/5 · US BEST APP EVER!!: I love this app, is the perfect free app to organize your workouts. The option to see the history of how much you’ve lifted in each exercise over time is amazing !!! You can post your workouts add pictures and interact with other users and that’s amazing! I use it with my boyfriend and we are constantly checking what each of use worked out and the pics we posted with it!! The free
  23. [R107] Hevy 5/5 · US Hevy Review: Just hit my 400th workout on HEVY! Highly recommend this app, it makes tracking weight a lot easier. It’s also a nice way to see what your friends are up to in the gym. Go HEVY or go home!

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store